useful on

USAGE SUMMARY

'useful on' is not correct or usable in written English.
You cannot use this phrase by itself in a sentence. However, you may use it as part of a longer phrase or idiom in a sentence. For example: "This app will be really useful on long road trips."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My talents as hunter were useful on one other occasion.

The New Yorker

"It's not very useful on your lap, unless you like to struggle," one review read.

The New Yorker

O'Shea is especially useful on background.

The New Yorker

It may come in useful on another occasion.

The Guardian - Books

"But she could still be useful on things like locations".

The Guardian

Why wouldn't it be equally useful on a digital watch?

The New York Times

Besides, common excipients can be useful on several targets.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

This could prove especially useful on higher difficulties as you'll know key areas to avoid altogether.

The Guardian - Tech

But he'll also prove very useful on the off chance that you need some drugs.

The Guardian

It feels like I am doing something useful on behalf of the people who died".

The Guardian

It's especially useful on independents, when it's all over the place and you're moving so quick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition "for" instead of "on" with "useful". For example, prefer "useful for" over "useful on" in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on" with "useful"; the correct preposition is "for". Saying something is "useful on" a task is grammatically incorrect. Instead, express it as "useful for" the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful on" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its usage is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct preposition to use with "useful" in most contexts is "for". Examples found by Ludwig often demonstrate this incorrect usage, highlighting a common error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "useful on" appears frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use is "for", making "useful for" the appropriate choice. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting that "useful on" violates standard English grammar. Despite its common occurrence, especially in News & Media and Science contexts, it is best to avoid "useful on" in professional and formal writing. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useful for

Replaces the preposition "on" with "for" to create a grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative.

effective for

Substitutes "useful" with "effective", emphasizing the ability to produce a desired result.

helpful for

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", indicating that something provides assistance or support.

beneficial for

Uses "beneficial" instead of "useful", highlighting the advantageous or positive effects of something.

advantageous for

Employs "advantageous" to stress the favorable or beneficial nature in a particular context.

suitable for

Replaces "useful" with "suitable", focusing on the appropriateness or fitness for a specific purpose.

valuable for

Substitutes "useful" with "valuable", indicating that something is considered important or worthwhile.

good for

A simpler alternative to "useful", indicating the positive impact or suitability for a certain situation.

applicable to

Highlights that something is relevant and can be applied in a particular situation.

appropriate for

Focuses on the suitability and correctness of something for a specific purpose or context.

FAQs

Why is it incorrect to say "useful on"?

The correct preposition to use with "useful" to indicate benefit or suitability is "for". Saying "useful on" is grammatically incorrect and not standard English usage. Use phrases like "useful for" instead.

What can I say instead of "useful on"?

You can use alternatives like "useful for", "helpful for", or "effective for" depending on the context.

Is there a situation where "on" is appropriate after "useful"?

While "useful on" is generally incorrect, you might see it within a larger, grammatically correct phrase, but not directly after the adjective "useful". Ensure the preposition connects correctly to the surrounding words.

Which is correct, "useful for" or "useful on"?

"Useful for" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Useful on" is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.